We say: why not both?

Keanu Reeves' name was floated for a lead role in Death Stranding, but director Hideo Kojima had his heart set on Mads Mikkelsen instead.

Kojima took to the stage at San Diego Comic Con where he revealed, “I originally was recommended Keanu Reeves but I wanted Mads". The recommendation came from none other than Nicolas Winding Refn, who is himself part of the Death Stranding cast, playing Heartman.

The bromance between Mikkelsen and Kojima is well-documented, mostly through Kojima's personal Twitter account. Death Stranding's head honcho frequently immortalises the Danish gymnast-turned-actor in lengthy Twitter threads filled with candid monochrome snaps of Mikkelsen puffing on a cigarette, or staring moodily into the middle distance.

Kojima went into further detail about the reasons he's making Death Stranding, including that he ultimately wants make a game that upends traditional design.

“When I first started my new company, I started from scratch and was alone," he said. "This game is based on how you connect.

"When I first started my own production, the easiest thing for me to do is make a game where everyone is on an island and shoots each other.... Creativity is what moves civilizations forward. We’re living in an era when creativity is dictated by algorithms that it becomes meaningless almost. It’s important to counter that."

For more information from the Death Stranding Comic Con panel, check out this roundup that also reveals the game's official box art and details on Nicolas Winding Refn's character.

Alysia Judge is a freelance journalist and presenter. Chat to her on Twitter at @alysiajudge